Assistant Director of Contracts Administration

Company: Seton Hall University, New Jersey
Location: South Orange
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Contracts Administration provides leadership, governance, and operational oversight in contract lifecycle management, driving efficiency, risk mitigation, and strategic vendor engagement at Seton Hall University. Reporting to the Director of Procurement, this role strengthens contract oversight, optimizes approval workflows, and enhances policy adherence across procurement operations. This position is responsible for developing and implementing best-in-class contracting policies, approval structures, and compliance frameworks to align contract administration with institutional priorities. Collaboration is essential, requiring strong strategic partnerships with colleagues in Procurement, Legal, Finance, and business owners/end users. The purpose of this position is to drive efficiency, reduce risk, and advance procurement’s role as a strategic enabler of Seton Hall’s mission and a steward of its resources. Pursuant to this purpose, the Assistant Director of Contracts Administration may be required to perform transactional duties surrounding requisition processing and supplier onboarding. Aligning with Seton Hall’s Adapt ‘25 initiative, this role transforms contract governance and operational efficiency through standardized templates, automation, and integrated contract tracking, reinforcing procurement’s ability to manage institutional obligations effectively. Duties and Responsibilities: DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: Below are the major duties in descending order of importance, indicating the approximate percentage of time spent on performing each duty. 40%: Contract Lifecycle Management and Governance: • Oversight and management of contract-related policies, approval workflows, and compliance protocols that enhance efficiency and accountability. • Manage end-to-end contract administration, overseeing intake, legal review coordination, and executive approval tracking. • Working with General Counsel to standardize contract templates, build approved terms and conditions library, and risk assessment processes, ensuring clarity and enforceability. • Lead efforts to centralize contract oversight, strengthening institutional compliance and procurement accountability. 30%: Process Optimization and Systems Integration: • Support the transition from legacy system into future system, Unimarket. • Oversee contract tracking mechanisms to provide real-time visibility into contract milestones, renewals, and financial obligations. • Partner with IT and Finance to integrate contract management workflows within Unimarket, Banner ERP, and procurement systems. • Drive automation initiatives, reducing reliance on manual contract processing and enhancing version control and reporting capabilities. • Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track contract efficiency, compliance, and institutional risk exposure. • Perform compliance review of requisitions and PO’s focusing on proper bid usage or executed contract attached. • Work closely with the Strategic Sourcing Manager to ensure spending under contract is optimized. 20%: Stakeholder Engagement and Risk Management: • Serve as the primary liaison between Procurement, Legal, and the business owners / end users to align contract management with institutional needs. • Conduct contract audits and risk assessments, proactively identifying gaps in compliance and mitigating financial exposure. • Advises the Director of Procurement on contract oversight strategy, risk mitigation, and compliance trends. • Provide training to procurement and departmental teams on contracting policies, vendor negotiations, and legal compliance standards. • Strengthen vendor engagement strategies, refining negotiation practices and contract execution workflows. • Provides leadership to procurement resources involved in contract review and administration, guiding process improvements and operational efficiency. 10%: Policy Development and Institutional Alignment: • Lead efforts to modernize contract governance, establishing clear approval thresholds, risk escalation procedures, and vendor compliance tracking. • Support competitive solicitation processes, collaborating with Legal to refine RFP contract structuring and award execution. • Develop knowledge-sharing resources, enhancing cross-functional understanding of contract administration. Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, legal studies, procurement, supply chain management or related field. 6-10 years of experience in contract management, procurement/supply chain, or compliance governance. • Proven expertise in contract administration, lifecycle management, and vendor risk assessment. • Experience managing contract automation initiatives and policy standardization efforts. • Experience collaborating with general counsel on procurement-related legal issues. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES • Deep expertise in contract administration, procurement governance, and risk management. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience implementing process improvements and automation initiatives. • Ability to interpret legal and financial contract terms, maintaining alignment with institutional policies and best practices. • Proficiency in contract management systems (e.g., Unimarket, ESM) and ERP platforms. • Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with experience navigating legal, finance, and procurement collaborations. Desired Qualifications: DESIRED EXPERIENCE & CREDENTIALS • Master’s degree (MBA, Finance, or Accounting) preferred. • CPCM, CFCM, or contract management certification is a plus. • Background in higher education, nonprofit Salary Range: $65,600 - $90,200 Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt Benefits Information: For details about employee benefits, see: https://www.shu.edu/human-resources/benefits.html Life today is complex. That’s why Seton Hall University offers a comprehensive package of benefits and programs to help you simplify and enrich your life. These benefits are important elements of your total university compensation package. Benefits include but are not limited to bundled medical, prescription, and vision insurance, dental insurance, and life insurance, and retirement plan. Physical Demands: General Office Environment Special Instructions to Applicants: Seton Hall University is committed to programs of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the principles of affirmative action.

Keywords: Seton Hall University, New Jersey, Hicksville , Assistant Director of Contracts Administration, Accounting, Auditing , South Orange, New York